Child custody issues can be found in divorce, dissolution, legal separation, parentage cases and post-decree modifications.  The decision of which person should have custody of a child is determined by the best interest of that child.

What is Best Interest of the Child?

The Ohio Revised Code provides the court with a number of different factors to consider, such as:

• Wishes of the child’s parents
• The child’s wishes
• The interaction and interrelationship of the child with you and your spouse, siblings, and other family members
• The child's adjustment to his home, school, and community
• The mental and physical health of all family members
• The possibility of physical violence by the child's potential custodian
• The occurrence of ongoing abuse of the child or someone else in the family
• Your desire to facilitate and encourage continuing relationship between the other parent and your child

What Options Do I Have?